We propose to collect detailed hydrodynamic measurements in a cross-shore array spanning the nearshore and beach/dune, as well as topo-bathy maps, throughout the storm and recovery period(s) during hurricane season. Observations from this site will provide insight into cross-shore storm processes and impacts, including wave transformation and shoreline water levels, rapid changes in coastal elevations, on/offshore sediment exchanges, and resulting habitat changes. These detailed measurements will provide a more complete understanding of storm impacts and recovery on natural beach/dune systems, which will allow us to validate and improve forecasts of water levels, coastal change, and habitat.
Location
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Hatteras Island, North Carolina, United States, Atlantic Ocean
Summary
The USGS collected detailed hydrodynamic measurements in a cross-shore array spanning the nearshore and beach/dune, as well as topo-bathy maps, throughout the storm and recovery period(s) during hurricane season. Observations from this site provided insight into cross-shore storm processes and impacts, including wave transformation and shoreline water levels, rapid changes in coastal elevations, on/offshore sediment exchanges, and resulting habitat changes. These detailed measurements provided a more complete understanding of storm impacts and recovery on natural beach/dune systems, which will allow us to validate and improve forecasts of water levels, coastal change, and habitat. During the field campign spanning 9/1/21- 10/31/21. The USGS installed two Coast Cams in stereo that were used to create 3D images of the beach every hour and track changes in water level at the study site. The USGS Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Group also deployed a Nanopod at Pea Island DUNEX experiment site to collect oceanographic information. The USGS also used an autonomous surf vehicle, built by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
Info derived
Waves, currents, pressure, water level, meteorology, sediment grain size.
Comments
Time series moorings will be deployed on jetted/driven pipe both in the surf zone and on the beach.
Grain-size analysis data of sediment samples from the beach and nearshore environments at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge DUNEX site, North Carolina in 2021. (version 2, supersedes version 1)
